Dr. Tailor's first grade class, 1991
INTRODUCING MONALISA TAILOR, MD, GLMS PRESIDENT
MRS. PATTY WIMSATT
1ST GRADE TEACHER
It was Oakland Elementary, 1990-1991 school year. Oakland was a small country
school, smallest in Warren County, in a farming community with a post office, two churches,
a Masonic Lodge and a cluster of probably 20 houses. Monalisa came to first grade before
there were kindergartens, computers, lockdowns and manipulatives (beans and corn didn’t count).
Monalisa did worksheets, had two reading groups a day (the TOP groups), copied from a chalkboard to
practice printing (all the letters had to touch lines) and on a rainy day, we might have watched a VHS tape.
There was no PE, but we did have two recesses, and I’d sometimes spank a few of her classmates, but NEVER
Monalisa.
I remember the first time I saw her. She was a petite, quiet, shy little girl with long black hair. Her mom and
dad had come to introduce themselves to me late one afternoon in August. I was getting my first grade
classroom ready. Monalisa’s mom and dad had impressed me with their thoughtfulness, their awareness of
the importance of education, and their love for their daughter. And Monalisa was indeed impressive: a
smart, kind, caring and hardworking little girl. When she smiled, light shined from her. She followed
all the rules, her letters touched lines and she loved to help others. Her best friend was Melinda.
They were a pair!
I believe she is called Dr. Tailor now. She will always be Monalisa Tailor to me,
the little girl with long black braids, so smart, and my first grade
little friend. I am still proud to call her my friend.
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